JDK's Fiendish Quiz No.1

[JDK]

Here’s a new version of JDK’s Quiz. This one’s meant to be fiendish, in part at least because I don’t know what some of the answers are – there may be multiple answers, answers I’m not aware of, or answers that are disputed. Heh, heh, heh.

So you need to present an answer, and provide evidence and a case that it’s correct. You’ll probably have to defend it, too!

1. What was the most common calibre of gun in W.W.II?
2. Name the type that at least four national leaders (from Axis and Allied sides) flew in (note that some of the leaders weren't leaders at the time of their flight/s - extra points).
3. How were early war combat gliders different from late war examples in their intended employment?
4. What was the most decisive defensive battle won of W.W.II?
5. How many types can you name that were in production on opposing sides in W.W.II?

Fire away! The rules – no prizes, just a warm feeling, have fun, detail, examples and detail add ‘points’ one word answers get nil points, obvious lifting of data from webpages that are unattributed or not linked to their origin collect big naughty points. (Be clear when you are referring to someone else’s work and what’s your own work.) I think Mike can play if he plays nice.

I’ve about 20 more questions lined up, and your input with these welcome - Feel free to PM me new questions to add (or start your own quiz!).

And… go.

[lestweforget]

2. Churchil lflew in many types, including the Avro York, but his most famous aircraft was Liberator II "Commando" which was later converted with a soid nose and single tail unit. I have seen footage of of Hitler in Ju-52's and I am pretty sure he flew in Fw. Condors too. Roosevelt flew in a Boeing 314 Clipper to the Casablanca conference in 1943, becoming the first US president to fly while in office. The first purpose built presidential aircraft was Douglas VC-54C "Sacred Cow" in which he flew to Yalta n 1945. Not too sure of other leaders off the top of my head, I would have to do some checking.

4. Does Stalingrad count as a defensive battle. If so, the Germans lost a full Army, a Field Marshall surrendered for the first time, and the Germans were on the back foot in the East from then on.

[JDK]

Hmm, I guess 4a should really be: What was the most decisive defensive aerial battle won of W.W.II?

Answers to both 4 and 4a welcome!

Great answer to 1, LWF, but I'm looking for a single type of aeroplane which all the leaders in the list (which you also have to work out) flew in. (You've got two of the leaders in question, btw.)

There may be other correct answers to the one I'm thinking of.

I warned you it was fiendish, because even I'm confused!

[Obergrafeter]

#1.........7.62x39?

[JDK]

Well Der Ober gets a point for avoiding the one word answer penalty.

[Obergrafeter]

Is a question mark a word?

[lestweforget]

Well I would say that the Battle Of Britain was the most decisive arial battle in WW2, mind you , it depends what you term as decisive, as it was a close run thing! If it had been lost, Britain would have been at the mercy of the Luftwaffe, and it is not beyond reason that an invasion could have followed. If succesful, there would have been no base for offensive operations over occupied Europe, no D-Day. Victory in the west would have been much more doubtful,and a great deal harder. My opinion for what it's worth anyway, but I am sure someone more knowledgable can chime in.

[RickH]

Most common caliber ? .30

US Government, Caliber .30 Model 1906, 30-06
Guns, M1903,
M1 Garand,
M1919,
BAR
Johnson rifle
Johnson M41
M1917

US Govt .30 carbine
M1 Carbine

British .303
Enfield, variuos Marks
Bren
Lewis gun
Vickers K
P-14

Japanese 7.7X56R ( British .303 )
Type 92
Type 97

7.7 x 58

Arisaka Rifles

Russia 7.62 X 54R, 7.62 X 53R

Mosin Nagant, various models
Maxim PM M1910

[JDK]

I'm not familiar with US ammo, but .30 and .303 are different - not interchangeable rounds, surely? So not the 'same' as they won't work across both calibre of guns. IIRC, my grandfather's captured Japanese rifle wasn't safe with British .303 ammo, presumably being the different 7.7x58mm Arisaka, rather than the .303 direct copy type.

Either way, you missed out the Colt Browning .303 (re-calibred from the original Colt .30 to use British standard and stockpiled ammunition) which was the Commonwealth's most common aircraft gun, I suspect.

OK, that was to test if you were paying attention. Question 1a should be 'What was the most common calibre of aircraft gun in W.W.II?'

[Talking to self]Shesh. Helps if you get the question right. Will stick to piktures next time. In future, ensure Fiendish is pointed away from self.[/Talking to self]

Offers on 1 and 1a welcome.

[RickH]

James, you asked what was the most common caliber, not cartridge.

Caliber is the size of the bullet, not the cartridge designation. I submit that .30 caliber was the most common bullet size for WWII.

The Model 1919 is Browning was chambered in 30-06, and .303. Many guns were chambered in either of the cartridges. The British initially called them Browning Mk1 and 2s and didn't adopt the US Ordnance Department Model designation of M1919. They were built under contract by Colt, and many other contractors such as Saginaw Steering Gear, Rock Island Arsenal, and BSA in England.

The actual Colt Browning was the Model 1895. Production ceased in 1917. It had no application in WWII as they had been superceded by the water cooled M1917 ( Browning designed ) and the air cooled M1919 ( also Browning designed ) ( he also designed the .50 cal M2 ).

[rreis]

I would go with battle of Britain also... except maybe the battle of Malta that completly killed Rommels logistics and the North African campaign. If they managed to connect [in Egipt] I wonder what would had happened....

Of course, I'm focusing ETO, you got to remember the Pacific...

[RickH]

Question 1a should be 'What was the most common calibre of aircraft gun in W.W.II?'

What time period ? Guns were invariably lighter in caliber earlier and heavier as the war wore on and greater firepower was needed. A nominal .30 caliber was probably most common on aircraft early on. Once cannons became commonplace all bets were off ! There were many variants of the 20 mm and .50 caliber used by all sides.

[Mudge]

Here’s a new version of JDK’s Quiz. This one’s meant to be fiendish, in part at least because I don’t know what some of the answers are – there may be multiple answers, answers I’m not aware of, or answers that are disputed. Heh, heh, heh.

So you need to present an answer, and provide evidence and a case that it’s correct. You’ll probably have to defend it, to

5. How many types can you name that were in production on opposing sides in W.W.II?

NOW...you know me...a bit dense at times...BUT: How many types of what?

Mudge the confused

[bdk]

1. 9mm (9x19) was used in sub-machine guns and pistols and later became the NATO standard.
2. C-47, and that would include the Japanese and Russian copies.
5. At least the C-47 and the B-29 for American types. And of course the Zero was a copy of the Hughes racer after all...

[RickH]

9mm, really ?

Same case can be made for .30 cal it was used by various factions on both sides in rifles, carbines, squad machine guns, medium machine guns, aircraft machine guns, some countries used it as a heavy machine gun. It too became the NATO standard and the Russian post war standard, 7.62. It is still being used today in squad automatic weapons ( SAW ).

See what you've done JDK, you've started a squabble in the Colonies !